GREAT PERFORMANCES: THEATER IN AMERICA: THE PATRIOTS (TV)
Summary
One in this series of regional theater productions. This episode presents a production of “The Patriots,” a play about Thomas Jefferson’s political career following the American Revolution, presented by the Asolo State Theater Company at the Asolo Theater in Sarasota, Florida.
In 1790, after an extended stay in Paris as an ambassador, Thomas Jefferson and his daughter Patsy return to the United States in order to plan her wedding. President Washington has made him an offer to take up a political office at home, but he is strongly considering refusing. Both of them reminisce about Patsy’s late mother Martha. Jefferson recollects his wedding night, when he showed Martha the incomplete Monticello for the first time, a particularly happy moment for both of them. He then recalls the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and his arguments in its favor of its creation while Martha was at home, struck with illness. In the present, he is lost in thought, feeling as though he has no future without Martha, as the ship pulls in to harbor.
In New York, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton argue about Hamilton’s proposed treasury bill before being silenced by President Washington. Jefferson arrives, and Hamilton hopes to persuade him to convince Congress to vote on the bill, although Washington shuts him down again. Washington greets Jefferson warmly; he has arrived just after Patsy’s wedding. Jefferson shares his experiences in Paris with Washington, including Lafayette’s attempts to form a republic via constitutional reform. Washington announces that he is gathering various officials to form a cabinet to assist him, and wants Jefferson to serve as the first Secretary of State. Jefferson, however, is disinclined to take up the post, explaining that he no longer feels fit for such political office, and that he would rather complete Monticello for Patsy and her husband. Meanwhile, Washington continually refuses offers of kingship over the new United States, insisting that it would not be proper; he laments that he can no longer enjoy the simple existence he so enjoys since taking office. Washington warns that the United States is on unsteady political footing and that the people need someone like Jefferson to maintain their hard-won government. In light of this, Jefferson reluctantly accepts Washington’s offer.
While Washington is out greeting foreign dignitaries, Hamilton enters and introduces himself to Jefferson. He states that the United States is in financial troubles, since their paper money has no worth and they cannot amass foreign credit. His proposition is to have the federal treasury pay money equivalent to state-issued promissory notes, thus establishing a good line of credit throughout the nation. However, Madison vehemently opposes him and Hamilton asks Jefferson to influence Congress to vote in favor of the bill. Hamilton stresses the urgency of the bill, warning that there have been threats of secession from a number of states. Jefferson decides to invite Hamilton and several others, hopefully including Madison, to dinner the following night in order to rationally discuss the problem. Hamilton promises that if Jefferson gets his bill passed, he will persuade Congress to move the nation’s capital to Virginia. Washington returns and he and Jefferson sneak out to go fishing.
Hamilton’s bill gets passed and he throws a party to celebrate. Jefferson prepares to return to Monticello, uncertain of whether supporting Hamilton was the right thing to do. He discusses the matter with Madison and senator James Monroe. Jefferson takes the opportunity to chat with a blacksmith, Jacob, who has just made fittings for Jefferson’s latest invention, the dumbwaiter. He asks Jacob about the bill; he expresses his displeasure, since the now-valued money was largely sold to speculators when it was worthless, and now they’ve made a huge profit and stolen many people’s savings. Hamilton enters and Jefferson tells him what he has learned, making him uncomfortable about the implications of the bill. Hamilton argues that the now-wealthy speculators, who had foreknowledge of the bill, are industrial figures who will be vital to the infrastructure of the country, but Jefferson counters that they cannot abandon the rest of the people in the process. Jefferson is disgusted when Hamilton asserts that the country should be run by a “moneyed aristocracy” and does not believe in the concepts of democratic government Jefferson fought to uphold. Hamilton leaves, and Monroe and Madison urge Jefferson to oppose Hamilton, who they believe misappropriated treasury funds in order to fund the speculators and assert political control. However, Jefferson is unwilling to engage in such party politics, noting that if Hamilton tries to subvert the Constitution, then he will oppose him in his own method.
In Philadelphia in 1793, Monroe comes to meet with Hamilton. He warns him that the next day he intends to bring his evidence of Hamilton’s involvement with the speculators directly to Washington. Hamilton is enraged and asks Monroe to meet with him the following morning; he points out that Reynolds, the man he is accused of colluding with, is in jail on perjury charges, and claims that he gave the man his own personal money as an accession to blackmail. He intends to fully prove his innocence, and Monroe takes his leave. In private, Hamilton reveals to his wife Betsy that he was blackmailed because he had an affair with Reynolds’s wife, and that he has been extorting money out of him to keep it secret. Betsy is devastated by this news, and leaves Hamilton alone. A messenger informs Hamilton that the king and queen of France have been executed, and he believes that the same could happen to the leadership of the United States; he blames Jefferson for spreading individualist ideals which he feels will inevitably result in anarchy. He calls Jefferson a “fanatic” and swears to rid the country of him once and for all.
Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, Jefferson tends to an injury sustained by his slave Jupiter, who recounts being assaulted in town by a trio of men speaking ill of Jefferson. The men were dispersed by an angry mob, shouting about opposition to the aristocracy and death to Washington. Patsy comes to visit him, much to Jefferson’s joy. She is distressed to find that newspapers are writing scathing articles about Jefferson and leveling accusations about his personal life. Patsy believes that her father has already sacrificed too much in service to his country and should focus on his family instead; they need his help to run Monticello, as it has become overly burdensome. Jefferson laments the arrival of the monarchist movement and the decreasing amount of support from his former political allies. He deeply misses Monticello and his wife, who he feels he “sacrificed to the Revolution.” He can no longer stand being there and intends to move back to Monticello and resign his post, much to Patsy’s relief. However, he overhears a crowd of protestors outside chanting “down with Washington,” leaving him highly distressed.
Not long before Jefferson is to return to Monticello he is visited by Hamilton in the midst of an outbreak of yellow fever in Philadelphia. Hamilton learns of Jefferson’s resignation. Jefferson believes that Hamilton is the author of the unflattering articles about him, while Hamilton believes that Jefferson sent Monroe to pry into his private life. Congress has cleared Hamilton of wrongdoing and he chides Jefferson for what he sees as a foolish experiment in democracy, which he continues to believe will dissolve in short time. Washington visits them, expressing his concern over the riots and mobs. Washington and Jefferson speak in private, and Washington notes that he and Hamilton should be able to put aside their differences and work together for the common good. Jefferson believes that their views are too disparate for them to cooperate. Washington says he cannot accept Jefferson’s resignation, but Jefferson is tired of his fruitless tasks and only wants to live in peace. Washington also desires retirement, but feels that he cannot abandon the country, recalling the difficulties he faced during the Revolutionary War and the need for the Republic to continue for the sake of future generations. His passionate plea convinces Jefferson to stay on for a time until a replacement can be found. Washington leaves, advising Jefferson to work from the country to avoid the plague.
Jefferson feels guilty about leaving, noting Washington’s increasing age and infirmity and worrying about what will happen to the country when he dies. He laments that the government has failed to properly serve the needs of its people, leading to the unrest. In particular he wishes to give all people the right to vote and increase their influence on the government. Hamilton enters and repeats Washington’s request for them to join forces, but Jefferson is skeptical. They engage in a heated argument revolving around the rights of the people versus the need for economic and political strength to lead them. Jefferson resolves to fight Hamilton by creating a new political party. Despite his hatred for it, Jefferson resolves to resolve this conflict and ensure a truly democratic society.
In 1801, in the newly-dubbed city of Washington, Jefferson faces a continually deadlocked Congress as to the question of his assumption of the presidency; the two parties are unable to come to an agreement between him and Aaron Burr. Many express dissatisfaction with the electoral system in place. Jefferson is visited by George Washington Lafayette, General Lafayette’s son, talking about his father and the importance America has assumed in the eyes of the rest of the world. Some of the Federalists agree to meet that night, possibly to set aside the election. Jefferson explains to Lafayette the troubles they’ve had in the last few years, including Jefferson’s detractors opening his mail and using his own words against him.
Hamilton unexpectedly arrives and speaks with Jefferson alone. Hamilton offers to influence the election in Jefferson’s favor if he accommodates certain conditions, but Jefferson refuses outright. Hamilton hopes to compromise and avert disaster, warning that the Federalists will circumvent the election, but Jefferson is concerned because of the various state militia who have gathered, prepared to riot if the election is subverted. Jefferson shocks Hamilton by asking him to break the deadlock and make Burr president. However, Hamilton warns that Burr seeks only power for himself and despises Jefferson’s notions of democracy, and accuses him of being in league with Napoleon. Hamilton fears that Burr would become a dictator and plunge the country into chaos, ripening it for conquest. Jefferson points out that Hamilton could have easily taken over after Washington’s death, but Hamilton proclaims his love for the United States and wants to see it safe and strong. Jefferson is confident that no dictator will come to power in the country and is prepared to do whatever is necessary to maintain its ideals. They discuss the nature of the American people and their willingness to embrace freedom at all costs. In light of this, Hamilton agrees to break the deadlock in Jefferson’s favor. Jefferson, however, derives no joy from his victory; he is virtually bankrupt and soon will lose Monticello. Soon the deadlock is broken and Jefferson assumes the presidency of the United States and makes a speech extolling the virtues of the republic and freedom in all respects.
Also includes an introductory clip on behalf of the Broadway Theater Archive.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: May 26, 1976 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 2:00:33
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:87188
- GENRE: Drama, historical
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, historical; Politicians; U S - History - Revolution
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1974-1979
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Jac Venza … Executive Producer
- Ken Campbell … Producer
- Ann Blumental … Associate Producer
- Robert Strane … Director
- Bob Hankal … Director
- Sidney Kingsley … Writer
- Hal Holbrook … Host
- Ritch Brinkley … Cast, Frontiersman
- Martha J. Brown … Cast, Martha Jefferson
- Ralph Clanton … Cast, George Washington
- Bob Horen … Cast, Colonel Humphreys
- William Jay … Cast, Jupiter
- Stephen Johnson … Cast, James Monroe
- Philip LeStrange … Cast, Alexander Hamilton
- Barbara Reid … Cast, Mrs. Hamilton
- Robert Murch … Cast, Thomas Jefferson
- Bette Oliver … Cast, Mrs. Conrad
- Gerald J. Quimby … Cast, Jacob
- Thomas Quimby … Cast, General Knox
- Katherine Rao … Cast, Patsy Jefferson
- Bradford Wallace … Cast, James Madison
- Carl Brown … Cast, Thomas Jefferson Randolph
- Jim Crisp Jr. … Cast, Butler to Hamiltons
- John Gray … Cast, Helmsman
- Stephen Joseph … Cast, Sergeant
- David Kwiat … Cast, Mr. Fenno
- Clark Niederjohn … Cast, George W. Lafayette
- Bob Stallworth … Cast, Mat
- Koren Thomas … Cast, Anne Randolph
- Frederic Oram … Cast, Ned, the Potboy
- Romulus E. Zamora … Cast, Messenger